China – Japan Cooperation on the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand
Thursday, May 31, 2018, At Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel
On 31st May 2018, EECO in cooperation with the Embassy of China and the Embassy of Japan organized a seminar on “China – Japan Cooperation on the Eastern Economic Corridor of Thailand” at the Renaissance Hotel. The MOU on Japan-China Private Economic Cooperation in Third Countries signed between Japan and China on May 9, 2018 in Tokyo, stated that both countries will establish a committee to promote the development of Japan-China private business activities to third countries under the framework of the Japan-China High-Level Economic Talk. Both countries will together explore the market and industrial field where there is a good possibility of third country cooperation by Japan and China private companies. Both countries see the potential and importance of the EEC. The seminar marked the importance of Thailand, in particular the EEC, as an important “Third Country” destination.

H.E. Mr. Uttama Savanayana, Ministry of Industry of Thailand mentioned in his opening remark that “By taking advantage of “Rising Asia” and the opportunities it offers, we can together unleash the tremendous potential of Asia in the “New Global Economy”. The Japan-China Private Economic Cooperation in Third Countries is a most welcomed strategic initiative that can play a leading role in Asia’s progress. The long and close friendship of Thailand between Japan and China will encourage a more flexible cooperation between China, Japan and Thailand in investment and business operations.

Thailand is very friendly with Japan. And China for a long time. Friendship It encourages cooperation in investment between China, Japan and Thailand related to investment. And business operations. To be more flexible.

H.E. Mr. Ning Jizhe, Vice Chairman (Minister) of National Development and Reform Commission, the People's Republic of China and H.E. Mr. Shiro Sadoshima, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Thailand also gave speeches at the seminar today. Dr. Kanit Sangsubhan, Secretary General of EECO joined Mr. Li Zhigang, Standing Vice Chairman of Chinese-Thai Enterprises Association and ICBC (Thai) Board Chairman and Mr. Isao Kuroda, Vice President/ Investment Infrastructure Committee Chairman Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok and President, Mitsui & Co., (Thailand) Ltd. in a panel discussion on the potential cooperation between the private sector of China and Japan to invest in the EEC.

“China and Thailand are friendly neighbors. People of the two countries are as close as family members. The bilateral relationship has been developing in a sound momentum over the past 43 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, yielding fruitful results in economic cooperation and trade, science and technology, people-to-people and cultural exchange and other fields. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in Thailand will be a great boost to regional economic growth, as well as the level and quality of industrial development. Leaders of China, Thailand and Japan attach great importance to trilateral cooperation on the EEC. Such kind of cooperation is of great significance and boasts broad prospect. Government agencies of the three countries should enhance policy communication, provide enterprises from the three countries with more advice and services, and encourage them to start with cooperation on specific programs.”, said Mr. Ning Jizhe.

“More than 5,000 Japanese companies have established their business bases in Thailand, especially in EEC area and contributed to the country’s economic development for more than three decades. The Japanese Government will continue to encourage and support the business activities of Japanese companies in Thailand, including investments to projects in EEC area, and will create a favorable environment to further win-win relationship between stakeholders. As one of these efforts, the Japanese Government would like to promote cooperative business relations among the private sectors of Japan, China and Thailand.”, said Mr. Shiro Sadoshima.

“The spirit of the MOU between Japan and China regarding of their cooperation in the third country will provide the ground-breaking progress in Asian development. Thailand is more than welcome to the move, and Thailand's EEC will work the best to bring the cooperative spirit into real actions with solid outcomes.”, said Dr. Kanit Sangsubhan.